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The Team Bolton Partnership was out in force again today, as it coordinated a briefing for Bolton’s employers on the impending Apprenticeship Levy.Ìý

The event was held in ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ’s Signature restaurant, and was attended by businesses that will be affected by the Levy when it comes into force this April.Ìý

Key speakers included the Skills Funding Agency, Seddon, Team Bolton representatives and the Bolton Work Based Learning Provider Network. Employers were given advice and guidance on how the Levy will affect their business, and how they can maximise the impact of the Levy on the local economy by recruiting Bolton residents. A wide range of employers attended, from public and private organisations including manufacturing, education, health, engineering and technology sectors.Ìý

Only a small number of employers operating in the UK with an annual payroll of £3 million or over will have to pay the Levy, which is calculated as 0.5% of an employer’s payroll as reported to HMRC.Ìý

Helen Rose, Director of Marketing and Business Development at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, said: ‘We deal with employers on a day-to-day basis as part of our Apprenticeship programmes, so we are very aware that employers still have questions about the Levy. As always, we were delighted to proactively support employers in Bolton via the Team Bolton Partnership’.Ìý

The Team Bolton Partnership works with more than 400 local employers to improve residents’ skills and to get residents into employment. The Partnership includes Bolton Council, Job Centre Plus, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ, Bolton Work Based Learning Provider Network, University of Bolton, Bolton at Home, Work Programme providers and voluntary and community sector organisations.Ìý